Golden State Warriors' David Lee, top, goes to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol (33), of Spain, falls during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn., Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

Golden State Warriors' David Lee (10) goes to the basket between Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph (50) and Memphis Grizzlies' Tayshaun Prince during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn., Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

Golden State Warriors' Andrew Bogut (12), of Australia, moves the ball in front of Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol (33), of Spain, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn., Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Warriors, finally, got back to their defensive ways. It was too late to avoid a 99-93 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

But Golden State showed flashes of the team that looked to be a playoff contender. The Warriors came alive in the second half like they hadn’t all trip, nearly stealing a win.

It’s a moral victory the Warriors don’t seem to want, as they head to Dallas looking to avoid an 0-4 trip. The sign of life, however, brought a glimmer of hope to a desperate locker room.

“This is a frustrating feeling for us, knowing that we’ve lost three in a row,” point guard Stephen Curry said after leading the Warriors with 32 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. “But there is positive we can take from this game, knowing we got back to our brand of basketball for the last 24 minutes. We have to remember that.”

The Warriors (30-20) held the Grizzlies to 36 points on 38.2 percent shooting in the second half. They forced 10 turnovers and limited inside-dominant Memphis to 18 points in the paint and four offensive rebounds after halftime.

It was the kind of energetic, scrappy, collective defensive posture the Warriors have exhibited most of the season.

Certainly, Memphis is hardly the most potent offensive team in the league, especially since shipping star Rudy Gay to Toronto last week for veteran forward Tayshaun Prince plus pieces. But after the Warriors were run out of the gym at Houston and Oklahoma City, Friday’s effort stood out as resilient and gritty.

And that was without the heart of the team, as backup guard Jarrett Jack missed his second consecutive game with a right shoulder contusion.

As was the case the first two games on this trip, the hole Golden State dug in the first half was too large to overcome.

The Warriors trailed by as much as 14 points in the first half because their defense was, once again, porous.

Golden State trailed 63-56 at the half. Over the first three games of the trip, the Warriors have given up an average of 69 points on 54.7 percent shooting in the first half.

“Giving up 63 points in the first half is unacceptable,” rookie forward Draymond Green said. “I don’t care who you’re playing. … When you gift a good team a 12-point lead, it’s hard to come back from. We’ve got to stop giving up 60 points in the first half.”

But unlike the first two games on this trip, both decided early, the Warriors had a chance to win this game. They led 78-77 after forward David Lee converted a layup to kick off the fourth quarter. But the Grizzlies went on a 6-0 run while Golden State had a turnover spree. In less than a minute, the Warriors turned the ball over three times, the last a backcourt violation by guard Klay Thompson that led to a layup by Tony Allen, putting the Warriors down 83-78.

It took the Warriors just 54 seconds to retake the lead. Lee put back Curry’s missed runner. After a stop by the Warriors, Curry knocked down a 3-pointer. Thompson then stole a pass in the backcourt and hit Curry for another 3-pointer, giving Golden State an 86-83 advantage with 8:10 left.

The Warriors were feeling and looking good as the Grizzlies called a timeout. But after that, it was all downhill for Golden State.

The Warriors’ next basket didn’t come until a Thompson jumper with 3:26 left, the team missing five shots in the interim. By then, Memphis had taken control of the game, going on a 9-0 run that put Golden State down 92-86.

The Warriors never got closer than six the rest of the way.

They also have lost nine straight to the Grizzlies (31-18), who swept the season series from the Warriors. Golden State sits No. 6 in the Western Conference, 1﻿1/2 games behind Memphis.

“We haven’t played a complete game in probably the last, in my opinion, 10 games,” center Andrew Bogut said. “It’s coming back to bite us right now. These are good teams. When you have a five- or six-minute lapse defensively or a five- or six-minute lapse offensively, it’s going to bit you in the (rear). There is some sense of urgency. There are teams nipping at our heels. We’re only four games out of the eighth spot. … We’ve got a lot of work to do still.”

Bogut played a season-high 27 minutes, 41 seconds against Memphis. He finished with seven points, six rebounds and two assists.

He will sit out Saturday’s game at Dallas since it’s the last game of a back-to-back set.

In his five games since returning to the lineup, he has averaged 9.6 points, 7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 25.4 minutes.

Lee, who finished with 26 points and six rebounds, visited children at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis on Thursday. He usually donates $25,000 to the hospital. But after his visit, he decided to double it.

More in Sports

Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob, general manager Bob Myers, coach Steve Kerr, assistant coach Mike Brown and forward Draymond Green talked to The Bay Area News Group about what it will take for the Warriors to have long-term success.

SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers won't open their regular season for about six months (Sept. 9 or 10) but here is how their offensive starting lineup looks, after an early jump on free agency and before next month's draft: Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo. Analysis: All he has to do is remain unbeaten after signing the NFL's richest annual deal. Backups: C.J. Beathard,...